My dogs are barking after my first 12 hours in New York City for TBEX ’10. Since it’s a bit past my bedtime and I’m planning to be up at the crack of dawn, here’s a rundown of today’s adventures.
Noon – Landed at LaGuardia. Took Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride version of Super Shuttle to Midtown Manhattan, regretted not popping a Dramamine.
1:30 p.m. Arrived at hotel, friend Cordelia was waiting in the lobby, quickly freshened up and headed to Harlem for a soul food-type lunch at Manna’s (it’s a chain). Headed toward the Apollo – today’s the one year anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death. Some impersonators were out there and Al Sharpton was planning to visit later in the day. Loads of vendors selling Michael Jackson memorabilia. Note: Great thing about travel is the people you meet. I met Cordelia during the 2006 trip to Kabul, Afghanistan.
3 p.m.-ish Wandered back to Times Square to search for some of the Play Me, I’m Yours pianos by the Sing for Hope organization. Sixty pianos were installed throughout New York City as a public arts project. The public pianos were installed June 21 and will stay until July 5. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to tickle the ivories…
Also ran into some fashionable maniques as part of Sidewalk Catwalk, kind of a rain or shine fashion show meets art exhibit in the Fashion District. Don’t know much else about the project, will have to research…
While in the area, stopped at New York’s Official NYC Information Center to pick up an New York CityPass (thank you!!!) along with appropriate maps and guides. Definitely stop at the center – it’s sleek and uses some sweet technology to map out a stay.
Didn’t see the Naked Cowboy in Times Square but did see the Naked Cowgirl (sorry, I just had to post the photo above).
6:30 p.m. Off to Grand Central Station to sip an adult beverage and enjoy some calamari and oysters at Oyster Bar Restaurant. Tried three different kinds of oysters from the New York area.
8 p.m. TBEX ’10 Opening Reception hosted by Weber Shandwick Travel & Lifestyle Team at The Omni Berkshire Place. Fab opportunity to meet the Weber Shandwick reps, check out an Omni suite and standard room (more another time), and mingle with other travel bloggers.
9:50 p.m. Headed to use my NYC CityPass to go visit the top of the Empire State Building. Wow! Incredible view of the Big Apple.
Midnight Back at my comfy room in my Midtown Manhattan hotel. Took a bath in the jacuzzi tub – just what I needed!
Clock reads 1:41 a.m. Night, night!
It was fun to play with you!